Different Roles of the Two High-Oxygen-Affinity Terminal Oxidases of <i>Brucella suis</i> : Cytochrome <i>c</i> Oxidase, but Not Ubiquinol Oxidase, Is Required for Persistence in Mice

Abstract

The survival of Brucella suis mutant strains in mice demonstrated different roles of the two high-oxygen-affinity terminal oxidases. The cbb3-type cytochrome c oxidase was essential for chronic infection in oxygen-deficient organs. Lack of the cytochrome bd ubiquinol oxidase led to hypervirulence of bacteria, which could rely on nitrite accumulation inhibiting the inducible nitric oxide synthase of the host.